Growing Your Own Food Tops the Pyramid

When I worked in public relations and marketing at Haberman, I was lucky enough to help represent Organic Valley. At one of our marketing pow-wows, I got to hear George Siemon, the co-op’s humble, warm, practical and smart-as-a-whip then CEO (or C-I-E-I-O, as he described himself) present his own version of the food pyramid.

At the top of his pyramid was “Grow Your Own.” Hearing this from the CEO of a major organic food company struck a major chord. It inspired me to rethink the importance of growing food for my family, and how and why it’s important for us all to grow at least a little something we can eat.

At that time now more than 10 years ago, I was buying organic and local at our co-ops and farmers markets, but hadn’t thought much about backyard vegetable gardening for myself. I certainly hadn’t considered it as one of the most compelling ways to nurture myself, my family, my community and the environment.

Today, following 20+ years of working with sustainable food businesses, studying urban farming and urban backyard gardening, and using my backyard and others as testing ground, I’m convinced the world would be a better place if everyone had a vegetable garden. Even if you’re not canning, seed collecting, etc., if you’re simply enjoying some sun-ripened cherry tomatoes or just-snipped basil from your own garden, you’re developing a deeper, multi-dimensional appreciation for soil, sun, water, insects and seeds — and how food fuels us on so many levels.

I’m passionate about helping people grow something they can eat, especially those living in the city. I believe it’s one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, our urban landscapes and the planet. It’s the reason I started my own backyard growing business and today work as a Colorado Master Gardener. My hope is that one day, everyone who has a little space grows a little something and gains a deeper appreciation for our Earth in the process.